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Broadband scam uncovered by canny customer

Identity fraud and phone scams are an unfortunate part of the society we live in. One recently-attempted broadband hoax was uncovered by an astute member of the public. Mrs McGerty, from Cumbria, was cold called and offered a generous discount to renew her broadband warranty - £9.99 instead of the 'usual' £29.99.

Even though no known firm offers a broadband 'warranty' as such, the offer sounded promising and she remained on the phone. Various payment options were discussed and she was asked to confirm her surname. Her suspicions were raised at this point, as any legitimate broadband company will hold such basic details on file.

Mrs McGerty gave her surname, but was then quoted an address where she hadn't lived for more than two years. The broadband salesman then asked for her Switch details but, luckily, she was convinced of the dubious nature of the call and ended the conversation.

She alerted her local paper and an investigation by BT security revealed the work of fraudsters.

The nature of this incident reminds us all how vigilant we need to be.

Follow these Four Golden Rules to keep your broadband safe from scammers

• Never volunteer personal details over the phone unless you are 100 per cent certain of the caller's identity
  
• Offer to call back, and then dial 1471 to check their number. BT will never call from a withheld number as the broadband fraudsters did in this case
  
• Even if the number isn't withheld, get a bill or broadband statement out and ring that number back instead
  
• When you are cold called out of the blue you should be naturally suspicious - they could be anyone
  

Keeping these rules in mind - no matter how believable or charismatic the salesperson is - should help stop you being a victim of the next broadband scam.

24/06/2008
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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